The Ogun State Police Command has apprehended three suspects accused of hacking the WhatsApp account of the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) head, Deputy Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni, and defrauding his family and friends of over ₦1.1 million.
The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, disclosed this on Tuesday while parading the suspects and others involved in various crimes at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta.
The suspects, identified as Tolani Jeremiah (31), Akande Suru (20), and Edwin Jatto (24), were arrested at their hideout in Edo State.
They allegedly hacked DCP Ojajuni’s WhatsApp account and sent messages to his contacts, soliciting financial assistance.
“The suspects hacked the WhatsApp account linked to GSM number 08034062773 belonging to DCP Bode Ojajuni of the State CID, Eleweran,” Ogunlowo said.
Using the hacked account, the trio reportedly deceived the victim’s associates into transferring ₦1,115,000 to a Moniepoint account under the name Ichioma Ojo.
The police recovered six mobile phones, including a Redmi Android device, and other tools used in the hacking operation.
Ogunlowo revealed that the suspects used a Gmail account (akandesuru342@gmail.com) to bypass WhatsApp’s one-time password security feature.
“The suspects have confessed to the crime and are part of an internet fraud syndicate preying on innocent citizens,” Ogunlowo added.
In another operation, the police paraded members of a child trafficking syndicate led by a suspect identified as Mama Faith, who is currently detained at the Ibara Correctional Centre.
Those paraded include ThankGod Taiwo (35), Patience Chikieze (54), and Oluyinka Folake (43). The trio was implicated in the abduction and sale of children for illegal adoption.
Taiwo was arrested after abducting a seven-year-old girl, Mercy Akande, whom he sold to Chikieze for ₦650,000 at Ipaja Roundabout, Lagos. Chikieze, apprehended on December 29 at Lafenwa-Itele, led police to her residence, where the child was rescued unhurt.
Further investigations revealed Chikieze had previously purchased a three-year-old boy, Mohees Daniel, for ₦250,000 and sold him for ₦3 million. She also acquired another child, David Jesulayomi, from Oluyinka for ₦1.5 million, intending to sell him for profit. Both children were recovered alongside fake adoption documents issued by Chikieze.
“She created a WhatsApp group named Prema Consult to lure unsuspecting adopters under the guise of facilitating legal adoptions,” Ogunlowo said.
The CP explained that Chikieze and her accomplices confessed to working for Mama Faith, who orchestrated the syndicate’s operations.
Ogunlowo, who assumed office three weeks ago, warned criminals in the state to desist from illegal activities or face the full weight of the law.
He also urged residents to provide timely intelligence to the police to enhance crime-fighting efforts.
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